Sorenson XBT 32-3 FTP LabVIEW Interfacing

[reau1537]

I am a novice LabVIEW programmer attempting to run the Sorenson XBT 32-3FTP DC Power Supply off of Labview, so that I can incorporate it as a sub VI into my current program.  My control requirements are minimal, I only need to do two things; turn the power supply on (or just begin to source power, either option is acceptable), and adjust the voltage level to the appropriate level, via button or text input. My questions are twofold;

1. The NI website claims that all drivers on the Sorenson site are compatible with a GPIB connector, but never mention the possibility of using a USB connector.  The gentleman at Sorenson thinks that either of those two drivers would work, along with a RS-232 cable. Just wanted to ensure that was the truth, as I'm in trouble if only GPIB is supported.
2. If USB cabling works as well as a GPIB connector, then I am wondering if there is anything out there that could manage to achieve these two goals in the database, or even just a suggestion or two of how to manipulate the Sorenson Sub VI's to complete this task.

 It doesn't seem like it should be difficult, but when I opened up the pre-fabricated drivers for the supply, utter confusion stepped in.

The Power Supply is this:

http://sine.ni.com/apps/utf8/niid_web_display.model_page?p_model_id=15920

The Power Supply Site is here:

http://www.sorensen.com/products/XBT/XBT_Downloads.htm

[smercurio_fc · Accepted solution]

That power supply comes standard with a USB connection and an RS-232 (serial) connection. The GPIB connection is optional, and unless you bought it, you won't have it. The drivers themselves are written using VISA. VISA supports talking to instruments either via RS-232, GPIB, TCP/IP (ethernet), or USB. You specify the connection type via the VISA resource name. If you open one of the driver VIs you will see the VISA resource name control. If you click on the dropdown arrow for it you will get a list of instruments recognized. This is tied to MAX (Measurement and Automation Explorer).

For USB the instrument needs to support the USBTMC protocol. The datasheet for the power supply implies USBTMC, but it's not explicit.

For RS-232 all that you will see are the COM ports on your computer.

So, if you have a standard supply you can simply connect an RS-232 cable to it and the driver can be used. You will need to configure the serial port settings with the Initialize VI. If you want to try the USB route you should verify with Sorensen that it does support the USBTMC protocol. If so, you can install the USB driver and it should show up in MAX (and consequently on the VISA resource control).

[reau1537]

Yup, I got it.  The issue was that the USB connection was showing as "COM 7", instead of at the USB port.  I didn't make the connection initially.  Once I specified the correct COM port, it was literally plug and play with example 2 in the Sorenson websites downloadable drivers.  Thanks for the help, you got me thinking on the right track.  I guess I just got tunnel vision for a bit there.